July 12, 2007

Are you in a maze or a labyrinth?

“Mazes and labyrinths are often lumped together in the popular imagination, but they differ in important ways. A maze is a series of compartmentalized and confusing paths, most of which lead to dead ends. When you enter, your objective is to escape – as quickly as you can. A labyrinth is a spiral walking course. When you enter, your goal is to follow the path to the center, stop, turn around, and walk back out – all at whatever pace you choose. Mazes are analytical puzzles to be solved; labyrinths are a form of moving meditation. Mazes can be disorienting; labyrinths can centering. You can get lost in a maze; you can lose yourself in a labyrinth. Mazes engage the left brain; labyrinths free the right brain.”

It strikes me as a good metaphor for the learning process. When it comes to your learning, do you feel like you are in a maze, disoriented and trying to find your way out as soon as possible? Or are you in a labyrinth, focused, enjoying the process and making progress at your own pace?